If you ate 1200-1300 calories everyday and didn't lose weigh

puggleperson
puggleperson Posts: 740 Member
edited October 3 in Health and Weight Loss
t for a whole month and one week, even with power walking 3 1/2 miles at least 4 times a week... would you lower your calories or up your calories, or stay the same??

Please help! Thanks....

p.s its been over a month since I have been extra serious (time flys) but before that I was dang serious... and I am now back to being serious!

Thanks
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Replies

  • ILiftHeavyAcrylics
    ILiftHeavyAcrylics Posts: 27,732 Member
    were you eating back your calories? Idk, I'm a newbie, but today they told me to up my calories because I had them set too low.
  • bethvandenberg
    bethvandenberg Posts: 1,496 Member
    I'd eat more
  • yummummum
    yummummum Posts: 257
    I would lower my carb intake. Up protein and fat.
  • AmyG1982
    AmyG1982 Posts: 1,040 Member
    gotta eat back your calories or your body will go into starvation mode! notice how MFP adds calories when you work out? there's a reason for that... try not to be under your daily by too much!
  • ashheartshawaii
    ashheartshawaii Posts: 18 Member
    Glad you asked this question- I am in a similar situation. I suppose I have lost, but it just seems sooooo slow... I do between 1200-1300 cals/ day, also, and walk at least 20 miles per week.
  • I'm dealing with the same problem and honestly, I think it's time to see a doc about it. There must be something hormonally that's an issue or metabolic-wise if you're not losing anything and eating that few calories daily.

    The only advice I can give as a nurse is to make sure you're drinking plenty of water and eating at least 2 non fat dairy items a day, calcium helps you lose weight. Also your body could be in a plateau if you're doing the same exercises or eating the same food all the time. Another thing (and I know it's awful to say cause we're watching what we eat) is ocassionally my body needs a reset. Meaning I may just go get that tacobell taco I'm craving. Or eat half a burger. Then my body metabolism kicks in to fight off that food and I'll drop weight easier.

    Hope this helps.
  • McKayMachina
    McKayMachina Posts: 2,670 Member
    Up your calories. You should be NETTING what MFP says.

    Also, weigh your food and use a HRM for accurate burns.

    If you don't have a HRM, take it manually and use this: http://www.braydenwm.com/calburn.htm
  • fatboypup
    fatboypup Posts: 1,873 Member
    id drink MORE beer!
  • tigersword
    tigersword Posts: 8,059 Member
    You aren't eating enough. Your body is hanging onto everything it can out of fear of not getting any more food.
  • MissMaryMac33
    MissMaryMac33 Posts: 1,433 Member
    If you mean 1200-13000 AFTER you exercise and you're eating that NET -- you're probably fine.
    I would up protein, lower carbs regardless --- especially if you're still using the default mfp settings.

    Also...make sure you have the right goals chose. If you chose to lose 2lbs a week and you have less
    than 30 to lose --- change it to 1/2 or 1lb/week at the most.

    Make sure you're tracking calories burned correctly too -- with a good HRM and chest strap.
  • aldale
    aldale Posts: 118 Member
    I would lower my carb intake. Up protein and fat.

    I agree!
  • I would lower my carb intake. Up protein and fat.

    I agree, I was eating 1200 and exercising but not loosing at all. I thought that if I ate back my exercise id be defeating the purpous, but this is incorrect. You need to eat what you exercise on top of your calories in order to continue burning.
    I ended up using my BMR rate as my calorie base and started to loose pretty quickly. :flowerforyou:

    Good luck!
  • brandenocs
    brandenocs Posts: 146 Member
    I wouldn't necessarily eat more or less... I'd look at WHAT you're eating first and foremost. Look at your fats, carbs, proteins, etc. MFP defaults to a VERY high carb percentage. I'd try upping your proteins first and lowering carbs.
  • ejmcam
    ejmcam Posts: 533 Member
    Definitely up your calories. Try it out and give yourself atleast a couple weeks of eating more and see what happens. Drink plenty of water, eat as clean as possible...and you will lose. Eating less is only going to put you into starvation mode, causing your body to hold on to what you give it.
  • Rachaelluvszipped
    Rachaelluvszipped Posts: 768 Member
    Also, there's one more thing..after you get this down..and that is watching your sodium, sugar and fat intake...those seem to be the hardest for me to keep low..but once you get into the habit, of checking..it should be fine.. drink your water..and try and keep veggies in your diet as much as possible..not the starchy ones..lol, I'm talking about the greens..:wink:
  • chevy88grl
    chevy88grl Posts: 3,937 Member
    I'll be honest.. you're going to have to do some trial and error to figure out what your body wants you to do. What works for one person, may or may not work for another. Best thing to do is play around with your calories, your macros and your water to see if it makes a difference.

    For me, I do not have to watch my macros - I only need to stay within my calorie range (2200-2500 NET calories) and I'm fine. I know how much water I need in a day.


    What you're currently doing isn't working - so don't be afraid to step out of the box and see what will work for you! :)


    Good Luck.
  • Rae6503
    Rae6503 Posts: 6,294 Member
    I vote up.
  • sherrillg
    sherrillg Posts: 317 Member
    Up Water and Calories would be my suggestion. Good luck!
  • stormieweather
    stormieweather Posts: 2,549 Member
    Same thing with me. But I've been eating at a deficit all year, with only 2 small breaks of 1 week. So I'm now eating at maintenance for a while and then I'll reduce calories after a few weeks or months. I'm within 10-15 pounds of goal, so no huge rush for me. I do think my body needs a break. Maybe you do too. Eat maintenance and keep working out for a bit, then drop your calories back down?
  • rileysowner
    rileysowner Posts: 8,316 Member
    I would need more information to answer that. 1200 a day is quite low, and I am surprised at the huge number of people here (female and male) who are eating at that level.

    With what you have told me I would suspect you would need to eat more, but without knowing more about how high you are, how much weight you have to lose, and the like it is difficult to say.
  • bregalad5
    bregalad5 Posts: 3,965 Member
    I was stalled, so I started eating back some exercise calories and lost about 5 pounds my first week doing that. It's definitely a case of trial and error, as everyone's bodies will work differently. This might not work for you, or it might not. As you can see from the variety of answers, there are lots of different things you can try! Good luck!
  • NeonNikki
    NeonNikki Posts: 87 Member
    I'm dealing with the same problem and honestly, I think it's time to see a doc about it. There must be something hormonally that's an issue or metabolic-wise if you're not losing anything and eating that few calories daily.

    The only advice I can give as a nurse is to make sure you're drinking plenty of water and eating at least 2 non fat dairy items a day, calcium helps you lose weight. Also your body could be in a plateau if you're doing the same exercises or eating the same food all the time. Another thing (and I know it's awful to say cause we're watching what we eat) is ocassionally my body needs a reset. Meaning I may just go get that tacobell taco I'm craving. Or eat half a burger. Then my body metabolism kicks in to fight off that food and I'll drop weight easier.

    Hope this helps.
    I heard the calcium in milk is very bad for you, that it actually lowers the calcium in your bones. This is just something I heard-that the milk companies lied to make $-may not be true-But I feel much better switching to almond milk an getting calcium from other sources.
    -
    ---Try calorie shifting. Also-eat the same amount but eat it in a 8 hour time frame. Not eating before 1pm or after 9pm has helped me loose -even when it is the same amount of calories. -this has just worked for me though-everyone's different. I eat around 1,300 average and I feel fine. I maintain and am content. Maybe I have a slow metabolism? I feel good though -plenty of energy, work out everyday. I am comfortable with 1,300 some times 1,400 or even 1,100 some weeks. Some people my size and activity level eat 2,000 calories. I really agree with trial and error-if you are hungry or feel deprived, then up your calories for two week minimum and see what happens.
  • So I made a list to follow with out much struggle.Please go through it.

    · Morning walk or do some exercise.
    · Have a break fast without fail.
    · Have a regular meal with out much oil or much spicy.
    · Reduce salt intake.
    · Avoid taking fried items.
    · No too much snacks and drinks like coke.
    · Have only veg., veg. soups or fruits in the night. Preferably only fruits that too apple and oranges.
  • ejohndrow
    ejohndrow Posts: 1,399 Member
    What do you consider to be power walking, like how many MPH?
    You may just need to eat healthier and exercise more-I walk at least 3 miles a day and never (ok very very rarely) count that as my exercise.
  • mrsmellymac
    mrsmellymac Posts: 236 Member
    I'm not sure if anyone has said this already, but make sure you go to settings and click on Update diet/fitness profile. Make sure your new weight is in there, and when you hit "update" your calorie intake will change. You need to do this every time you weigh in. It doesn't update automatically unfortunately. Click below to see the image better.

    I had the same issue, I was told to do this, I dropped 3lbs the first week!

    one.jpg

    two.jpg[/url]
  • check out your sodium intake, if your sodium is higher than 2200 it could cause you not to loose weight. There is a hidden column on MFP that you can add to track it.
  • missyyclaire
    missyyclaire Posts: 572 Member
    And don't forget about the boring but effective....FIBER!
  • ccmccoy09
    ccmccoy09 Posts: 284 Member
    Same thing happened to me; I gained 6 pounds in 2 months of 1200 net calories.

    With my doctor's and my trainer's guidance, I changed the MFP default goals to a breakdown of 40% carbs, 35% protein and 25% fat. On top of that, eliminated all sugar (except naturally occurring), fruit, and all "white" carbs except oatmeal, brown rice, and sweet potatoes, and only 1 serving of each of those per day. The hardest part: absolutely no alcohol.

    It was torture, but I dropped 3.5 pounds and a half inch in a week. I have another 3 weeks of it before I modify again.

    Moral of the story is I think you should consult with a doctor, dietician, or trainer. Everyone is different. :) Good luck!
  • downtome
    downtome Posts: 529 Member
    I would lower my carb intake. Up protein and fat.

    I agree with this! i joined a diet clinic and they are very strict on the carb to protein ratios. They say to keep your protein grams higher or at least the same as your carb grams and to make it a point to always east lower carbs with protein at every meal. It supposedly keeps you more satisfied and keeps your levels even. I never knew that myself, they had to explain it to me but it does seem to make a lot of sense! This should give you a jump start on your weight loss again. Good luck and keep up the good work, it's so worth the effort.
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